Research topic: First Vatican Council

First Vatican Council 1869-70, the 20th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church (see council, ecumenical ), renowned chiefly for its enunciation of the doctrine of papal infallibility . Convening and Meetings The council was convened by Pope Pius IX , who announced his intention in 1864. Because of the Italian political situation (the Papal States were the only bar to a united Italy), the advisability of having a council at all was questioned by the Catholic powers, who traditionally opposed strong action on the part of the church. In 1868 it was widely rumored in Europe... Read more